. >>> a few hours after word of the shooting reached the white house, president obama appeared in the briefing room. he was visibly shaken and said expected to lend empathetic moral support and a tearful president obama did just that. >> the majority of those who died today were children. beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. they had their entire lives ahead of them. birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. >> reporter: the stars and stripes flew at half-staff over the white house capitol as the president spoke with words of consolation. >> for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children's innocence has been torn away from them too early and there are no words that will ease their pain. >> reporter: after previous incidence of gun violence they have called for new firearm restricts because they would be politically difficult. when congresswoman gabrielle giffords was shot two years ago and at the shooting at the movie theater last year in colorado. >> we can enhance it by making it more difficult for th